Audi's RS26 Completes First Shakedown as Hülkenberg Declares 'The Rings Are Rolling'

Audi's 2026 Formula 1 project officially hit the track for the first time, with the RS26 completing a shakedown in Barcelona. Drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto shared driving duties during the filming day, marking a historic milestone for the German manufacturer as it prepares for its full-time entry into the sport.

Why it matters:

This shakedown is the first tangible proof of Audi's serious commitment to F1, moving beyond boardroom announcements and into on-track action. For a program of this scale, seeing the car run successfully—even for just 100km—is a critical validation of the team's design, integration, and operational processes ahead of their highly anticipated debut.

The details:

• Historic Run: The RS26 completed its first laps at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on January 9, with Hülkenberg declaring on social media, "the rings are rolling."
• Driver Reactions: Hülkenberg called it a "fantastic effort," while his teammate, Bortoleto, expressed his excitement, stating he was "so happy to finally get this journey underway."
• Limited Mileage: Under filming day rules, each driver completed approximately 100km, with the primary focus on initial system checks, including power unit functionality and component integration.
• Early Glimpse: Audi released a sharper image of the 2026 challenger, but emphasized this is a preliminary version. The final race-spec car, set to be unveiled on January 20 in Berlin, will look "markedly different."

What's next:

The immediate focus is the official car launch in Berlin on January 20, where the world will see the full livery and final design of the 2026 machine. Following the launch, all eyes will be on pre-season testing in Bahrain, where the RS26 will face its first real competitive assessment against other 2026 contenders.